Will Saints come marching into Minneapolis?

Last week, we asked for even greater caution for the team that had the third-fewest penalties in the league. The Vikings did win 30-23 at Detroit on Thursday, but they did not limit their penalties. They were flagged nine times for 74 yards. That must improve heading to Atlanta to face a Falcons team that after playing Tampa should be 7-4 with four wins in the past five weeks. At least the Vikings had no penalties in 14 red-zone snaps.

Question: Which of the nine 4-6 teams have the best chance to sneak into the playoffs? Seven of them are three to five games out in their division. But the Raiders and Chargers are fortunate to be in the AFC West. They're two back of a Chiefs team that's on a 1-4 slide. The Raiders are a mess, but the Chargers are on a 4-2 run and put up 54 on the Bills. Answer: Chargers.

The Patriots have been to seven Super Bowls with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. The combined point total in the first quarter of those seven games: Zero.

The up-and-down Ravens are back up after going to Green Bay and sandwiching shutouts around a loss. Other "up" teams are the resurgent Chargers and a Falcons team that still has to play the Saints twice. "Down" teams: Rams, Seahawks and Packers.

You know there are more weeks than realistic possibilities to play with when you've put Blake Bortles in the Super Bowl twice. But the Jaguars do have a dominant defense, ranking first in scoring (14.1), sacks per pass attempt, yards allowed (275.6) and passing yards allowed (162.0). Bortles is 26th in passer rating (81.8).

Why New Orleans (8-2)? The Saints have won eight straight. They have Drew Brees, rank third in scoring (30.2), second in sacks allowed and average a league-high 4.82 yards per rush.

Why Jacksonville (7-3)? The Jaguars hold the AFC's No. 3 seed. While it's difficult to imagine them winning at New England or Pittsburgh, a good defense can travel well.